What Does Nate McMillian Offer the Atlanta Hawks?

Reacting to news that the Atlanta Hawks will add Nate McMillian to the coaching staff.

It has been reported that former Indiana Pacers head coach Nate McMillian is joining Lloyd Pierce’s coaching staff on the Atlanta Hawks. What could his addition mean for the Atlanta Hawks?

McMillian is a hard-nosed coach who seems to pride himself on defense. In his playing career, he was a two-time All-Defensive Team selection, which carried over to his coaching career. In his five seasons with Indiana, his teams finished in the top six in the league in defensive efficiency rating three times.

For a team like the Atlanta Hawks, that is something that is very welcomed.

He’s also done a good job at getting the most out of his players, guys like Victor Oladipo, TJ Warren, and Damantas Sabonis have all had breakout seasons under his tutelage. Lloyd Pierce was one of the main credited guys for “The Process” in Philadelphia and was even credited by Robert Covington (among others) for his coaching.

That helped that team become a good defensive team while he was there. Adding McMillian to his staff and this young Atlanta Hawks team could work wonders on the defensive side of the ball. It also gives the Atlanta Hawks another mind that has experience in the coaching category, which doesn’t hurt at all.

Another thing worth noting is that it’s been reported that the Atlanta Hawks may look to move their upcoming draft pick, for a player, in order to compete sooner rather than later. One player who is mentioned often is Victor Oladipo, and McMillian may have more insight on him than most, being that he just departed that team.

This was an excellent hire by the Atlanta Hawks on paper, you get a known defensive coach, who has gotten the best out of his players – if that gels with this group remain to be seen – but it’s worth it to find out.

What do you think of the Atlanta Hawks’ new assistant coach?